Business Resources

Man in greenhouse

Business Resources and Support Programs

There are several ways for our local business community to get involved in the business support and marketing programming opportunities offered by Perth County. All of these programs are available to eligible Perth County businesses free of charge.

Discover More Adventures - Experiential Tourism Program

CLICK HERE to sign up for Perth County's Discover More Adventures program using a simple online form. This program helps Perth County businesses expertly enhance and market their offerings. Participating businesses will receive a product enhancement and marketing package including expert guidance, professional photography/videography, paid advertising, marketing materials, and more. To see examples of experiences this program has supported to date, please click here. Please note, participation in this program is FREE.

Discover More Flavour Farm Gate Map

Do you operate a local farm store or farm gate business? CLICK HERE to register to join Perth County's Discover More Flavour Farm Gate Map program to join a community of local farm operators who receive promotion and marketing investment from Perth County Tourism.

Business Directory

Would you like your business listed on Perth County's website and included in marketing programs, industry newsletters, and more? CLICK HERE to register your business with Perth County's Business Directory.

COVID-19 Funding Resources

Government of Ontario support Programs - Click here
Government of Canada Support Programs - Click here
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee - Click here

Mental Wellness for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

The uncertainty, business closures, job loss and financial stresses brought on by COVID-19 can greatly impact the mental health and wellness of small business owners. In an effort to help, the Perth Community Futures Development Corporation, the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, the Stratford-Perth Centre for Business, and local businesses, Hyde Construction Ltd. & Orr Insurance & Investment, in partnership with the United Way Perth Huron have funded a program to offer Mental Wellness support at no cost to business owners in the County, Stratford & St. Marys.

Mental Wellness for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs:

Counselling and one-one support provided by Family-Services Perth-Huron (All Clinicians are fully licensed and accredited to provide professional counselling services in Ontario under the Psychotherapy Act of Ontario).
Local business owners/entrepreneurs can reach out to info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca or call 519-273-1020 for intake. No personal details need to be provided to the Business Advisory staff in order to access the program.
For more information and additional resources, visit: familyservicesperth-huron.ca/resources

Perth Community Futures Development Corporation

Perth CFDC (Community Futures Development Corporation) offers quick loans to businesses of up to $20,000.

Contact for more information: 519-814-7570 or admin@perthcfdc.ca

Stratford Perth Centre for Business

Stratford-Perth Centre for Business provides one-one mentorship for entrepreneurs via telephone or online.

Contact for more information: 519-305-5055 or info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca

Partners In Employment

Partners in Employment is open by appointment. Appointments will be done over the telephone or video call. If you are looking for a new resume, or wanted to learn more about the local labour market, please give them a call or email: pie@partnersinemployment.on.ca and they will arrange an appointment for you.

75 Waterloo Street, Stratford: 519-272-1946
26 Wellington Street, St Marys: 519-284-0112
210 Main Street, Listowel: 519-291-2726

Tip Sheets & Guides

Sector specific Tip Sheets and Guidelines - Click here

Business Re-Openining Social Media Guide - Click here

Curbside pickup Tip Sheet - Click here

Responding to Customer Reviews Tip Sheet - Click here

Social Media Tips for Small Business - Click here

Google My Business Tip Sheet - Click here

More helpful tips for businesses during the COVID-19 - Click here

PPE Supplier Directory

Review sector-specific guidelines to identify personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to keep your employees and customers safe. Supplies are in high demand and the needs of frontline health care workers and first responders will continue to be prioritized.

Supplier Directory can be found here: www.ontario.ca/ppe

Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or an industry leader, our office has access to a number of services and resources to assist you.

Local Business Resources

Stratford Perth Centre for Business offers business advisory services, training, networking opportunities and assistance with funding applications.

Perth Community Futures (CF) provides business support through customized loan programs.

Recruitment / Job Boards

Connect2Jobs

This aggregator tool scrapes 25 local, regional, provincial and national job banks every hour and places them in one spot for jobseekers. Employers posting their jobs on popular free job boards including the Government of Canada's Job Bank and Indeed will have their open positions appear on Connect2Jobs.ca

Employers

As of January 1, 2022, Opportunity Lives Here no longer serves as an active website for posting jobs.

Employment Resources

Conestoga Career Centre provides job search assistance, career advice, job postings and education and training information to the public.

Partners in Employment works with job seekers and employers to match talents and skills to employers recruitment needs.

Newcomer Settlement Resources

For information and links to local resources, click here.

Local Business Associations

North Perth Chamber of Commerce

Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce

Listowel Business Improvement Area (BIA)

Mitchell Business Improvement Area (BIA)

Milverton Business Association

Millbank & Area Business Association

Huron Perth Public Health

Managing the Risks of COVID-19: Operator and Business Toolkit - Click Here

Managing the Risks of COVID-19: Events and Gatherings - Click Here

Other Resources

Looking for something else? We're here to help your business grow and succeed!

Contact the Economic Development and Tourism Office if you are looking for other resources.